The Marma community in Rangamati concluded their New Year celebrations with a traditional water festival held on Friday at the Chinghla Mong Chowdhury Mari Stadium. The event, organized by the central committee of the Marma Cultural Organization (MASS), was inaugurated by Dipen Dewan MP, Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts for balanced development in the hill regions and recalled the historical role of former President Ziaur Rahman in initiating development plans for the area. State Minister Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin MP also attended, emphasizing national unity among all communities.

The festival, known as Sangrai, featured the Marma community’s traditional water play, symbolizing the washing away of the past year’s misfortunes. Participants, dressed in colorful attire, enjoyed music, dance, and splashing water on one another. The event drew people of all ages and communities, spreading a message of harmony and friendship across the hills.

Organizers stated that the festival aims to strengthen social bonds and promote unity between hill and plain communities through shared cultural celebration.